UPDATE: INEC FORWARDS N126BN BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 2025 TO NASS FOR APPROVAL, SEEKS ADDITIONAL FUNDING AHEAD OF 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS. (PHOTO).

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the sum of N126 billion for its 2025 budget.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the presentation while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly on Friday.

He pleaded with the National Assembly to approve the 2025 budget which is nearly three times the size approved last year.

Prof Mahmood Yakubu expressed concerns over the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, describing it as exorbitant and burdensome.

He highlighted that despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of N40 billion last year, significantly lower than the N80 billion initially requested.

He emphasized the financial strain this has placed on the commission’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

In a bid to address these challenges, he appealed to the lawmakers to organize a retreat where both the legislature and INEC can collaborate, exchange ideas, and find solutions to the pressing issues affecting the electoral process in Nigeria.

“We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting election all year round,” he said.

The INEC Chair further lamented the deteriorating state of INEC’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings across the country, which are in urgent need of repair.

Meanwhile, INEC is seeking additional funding from the Federal Government in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

This was revealed by the commission’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu while appearing before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday, to defend the commission’s 2025 budget proposal.

Prof. Yakubu explained the need for additional funding to support key areas of INEC’s work.

He listed the areas needing the funding to include the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, logistics for off-cycle elections, replacing damaged election materials like Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS), Ballot Boxes, and Voting cubicles, as well as repairing INEC offices in Local Government Areas.